 Re: how much rot is acceptable?
Hmmm, we might have to can this poll and thread to start another one because.
There's no definition as to whether that rot is inside the tree (hollow tree) or around the outside of the tree or branch like an opening.
Also the terminology should be % of wood gone, A general rule of thumb is trees can be relatively stable at 70% hollow, however it also depends on the size of the tree and species.
For instance, a short fat tree vs a long skinny one. For example, a 40" dia oak might only be 80' high but a 40" dia euc could be 200' high and as such the wind loading entirely different.
Larger tree like your oak also use their weight for stability meaning they can be more hollow, some apparently still standing with under 10% (90% hollow).
In a bunch of failed eucs called forest red gums around here I noted the average hollow was 83% but that was also with an opening of approximately half the circumference.
Very hard thing to poll this one, but the 70% hollow rule of thumb is there. The USFD uses a system where if the circumference has more than 40% opening then they halve the hollow to around 35%.
Now there's also pruning that can take place so the tree can continue to stand and live. Reduce, thin etc.
How hollow/decayed is the Anne Frank tree? We know they've reduced and pruned it. It is 28% holding wood or good wood as of 2007
Last edited by Ekka : 15th January 2008 at 09:44 PM.
Reason: added 28% answer
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